More Filipinos spend more time watching their choice of movies on their PCs and smartphones inside their own homes with their loved ones as ABS-CBN's online streaming service iWant recorded a 300% increase on its movie library in terms of views since it made more than 1,000 Filipino movies available to its users for free a week ago.
For the period of March 15-21, 2020, the top five most watched movies on the platform (in no particular order) include "Exes Baggage", "She's Dating The Gangster", "Fantastica", "Four Sisters And A Wedding", and "Barcelona: A Love Untold". iWant's original content also logged a 45% increase in the number of views for the same period with "I Am U", "Fluid", "Sunday Night Fever", "The Tapes" and "Hush" gaining the highest viewership. On the other hand, DZMM Teleradyo also experienced a surge in views as it obtained a 520% increase in the number of users accessing the channel on the platform to get updates on the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.
As movie consumption continues to grow, iWant joins Netflix, YouTube and iflix in heeding the call of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to help ensure the stability of internet services in the Philippines during the enhanced community quarantine period and manage the amount of data traffic to reduce load on internet resources by reducing its streaming bitrate by 33% until further notice. Users are assured that they will continue to enjoy quality streaming on iWant with minimal impact.
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Filipino viewers were surprised to see the hosts of ABS-CBN's top-rating daytime shows "It's Showtime" and "Magandang Buhay" bring joy, laughter, inspiration and encouragement in these tough times brought by the recent worldwide health crisis as these were aired live straight from their own homes to their television screens and it is made possible through the use of the video chat and conferencing platform Zoom.
Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal-Escueta and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco continues to discuss and share relevant stories with guest celebrities through the use of modern technology every morning while the hosts of the number one noontime show in the Philippines were able to have fun with each other. However, It's Showtime never forgot to share its spotlight with the madlang people which are most important to it. In fact, they managed to take part, showcase their prowess, inspire other people and shine in the show's new segments "Corona Bye Bye Na Dance Challenge" and "Biyayanihan" for a chance to either win cash or receive special items from the show.
On the other hand, the Philippines' longest running weekly musical variety show "ASAP Natin 'To" was able to gather the best and finest Kapamilya stars and singers to deliver all-out entertainment straight from their own homes and comfort zones in digital format. The March 29, 2019 episode of the show featured inspiring and feel-good musical performances, enjoyable dance numbers, an awe-inspiring tribute to the late Kenny Rogers and the COVID-19 frontliners and the worldwide music video premiere of the award-winning inspirational song "Ililigtas Ka Niya" performed by various Kapamilya artists.
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ABS-CBN brought entertainment, inspiration and public service to Filipinos in the six-hour "Pantawid Ng Pag-Ibig: At Home Together Concert" that recorded more than 3.7 million views during its live online streaming on the network's digital platforms last March 22, Sunday. To date, "Pantawid Ng Pag-Ibig" is the largest and most viewed fundraising concert dedicated to helping families affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine which was streamed live on ABS-CBN's official Facebook pages, YouTube channels and streaming services iWant and TFC.tv and aired on ABS-CBN, S+A, ANC, DZMM Teleradyo, MYX, Jeepney TV, Asianovela Channel, Metro Channel, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, MOR 101.9 and The Filipino Channel (TFC) for overseas Filipinos.
The concert also received 64,000 social media mentions and its official hashtag #PantawidNgPagIbig claimed the top spot among trending topics on Twitter in the Philippines as netizens posted about their favorite stars, their moving performances and donating for a cause. Aside from the performances, the all-star lineup of Kapamilya stars and singers offered messages of prayer and support, gave out tips on what to do at home during the quarantine period, and reminded viewers to stay in and protect themselves through proper hygiene and home disinfection practices. Even with the community quarantine in place, ABS-CBN continues to find ways to offer joy and encouragement to Filipinos and use modern digital technology in gathering more than 100 stars to perform from their own homes.
The At Home Together concert is part of ABS-CBN's "Pantawid Ng Pag-Ibig" public service campaign which aims to raise funds that will be used to purchase foods and basic necessities for families with family members who are unable to work or continue their livelihood due to the imposed enhanced community quarantine. Filipinos who would like to help can make a cash donation to the following bank accounts of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. - Sagip Kapamilya: BPI peso account 3051-11-55-88, Metrobank peso account 636-3-636-08808-1, BDO peso account 0039301-14199, PNB peso account 1263-7000-4128, BDO dollar account 1039300-81622.
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Many major sports leagues in the Philippines and around the world have been postponed and everyone needs to stay at home for their safety and well-being due to the threat of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. Thankfully, the NBA understands their pain.
As posted on its Instagram account, NBA stated that limiting social interactions is a critical way to minimize the spread of the virus, but staying at home for long periods of time may be difficult. With this in mind and the current season on hiatus, the association and Turner Sports are providing fans around the world with a free preview of NBA League Pass for a limited time only.
Available on Android, iOS, Android TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and other supported devices, the NBA League Pass is the league's subscription and app-based service on the NBA app that gives full streaming access to every NBA game. Free until April 22, 2020, basketball fans can enjoy full games of the cut-short 2019-2020 season and relive all the post-playoffs storylines plus an expansive archive of classic games and content available.
